Currans Hill vs Smeaton Grange, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Currans Hill and Smeaton Grange are both Camden rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 44.4 km and 45.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $63 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Sydney suburbs that fit your budget →Currans Hill
Smeaton Grange
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Currans Hill | Smeaton Grange | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,573 | $1,573 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,905 | $6,842 | +$63 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,600 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,626 | $11,563 | +$63 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,121 | $7,121 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Currans Hill | Smeaton Grange | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Currans Hill vs Smeaton Grange (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Currans Hill and Smeaton Grange cost within $63 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $722, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $63 per year. Smeaton Grange is 45.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,121 and $7,121 a year, so the $63 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,573 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Smeaton Grange by $63 a year, $6,842 against $6,905.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,600 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Currans Hill cumulative | Smeaton Grange cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,626 | $11,563 | $63 |
| Year 3 | $35,935 | $35,740 | $195 |
| Year 5 | $61,724 | $61,390 | $334 |
| Year 10 | $133,279 | $132,557 | $722 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Currans Hill or Smeaton Grange cheaper to live in?
Smeaton Grange is cheaper to run by car at $11,563 per year versus $11,626 for Currans Hill, a difference of $63 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Currans Hill and Smeaton Grange?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,573 in Currans Hill (Camden rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Smeaton Grange (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Currans Hill and $1,548 in Smeaton Grange. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Currans Hill and Smeaton Grange?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,905 from Currans Hill and $6,842 from Smeaton Grange to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Currans Hill and $2,400 from Smeaton Grange.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Currans Hill and Smeaton Grange?
At 3% annual cost growth, Currans Hill costs a cumulative $133,279 and Smeaton Grange costs $132,557 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $722 in favour of Smeaton Grange. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Currans Hill and Smeaton Grange suits you better?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Camden rates (OLG and Camden rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.